Debut:
20/08/1977 v Birmingham City (A) 4-1 (League Division One)
Farewell:
Transferred to Coventry City, 08/1983, £200,000
Passed Away:
Biography
Ashley Grimes was a versatile Republic of Ireland international who represented Manchester United between 1977 and 1983. Comfortable in midfield or at left-back, he made 107 competitive appearances for United, scored 11 goals and was a member of the squad that won the 1983 FA Cup.
Augustine Ashley Grimes was born in Dublin on 2 August 1957. He played youth football with Villa United and Stella Maris, one of Ireland’s best-known junior clubs, before joining Bohemians. Grimes first travelled to Manchester United for a trial in 1972, when he was only 15, but returned to Ireland to continue his development. He progressed into Bohemians’ senior side and became part of one of the most successful periods in the Dublin club’s history. During his time at Dalymount Park, Grimes helped Bohemians win the League of Ireland championship and League of Ireland Cup in 1974/1975. He also collected an FAI Cup winner’s medal in 1976.
His performances persuaded United to offer him another opportunity. Tommy Docherty signed Grimes from Bohemians in 1977 for approximately £27,777, although some contemporary accounts placed the fee between £20,000 and £35,000.
By the time Grimes entered the first team, Dave Sexton had replaced Docherty as manager. He made his competitive debut on 20 August 1977 in United’s opening First Division match of the season against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s. United produced an impressive performance and won 4–1.
Grimes was a composed, adaptable left-footed player. Although primarily regarded as a midfielder, he could operate on the left side of defence and was also capable of filling more advanced roles. His versatility made him a useful member of the squad throughout his six seasons at Old Trafford. His first United goal arrived on 8 April 1978 in a 3–1 league victory over Queens Park Rangers at Old Trafford. Two weeks later, he converted a penalty to open the scoring in a 3–0 win against West Ham United.
Grimes made 17 appearances and scored twice during his first season. He followed that with 21 appearances during the 1978/1979 campaign, when United reached the FA Cup final. He scored in a 3–0 third-round victory over Chelsea but was not selected for the final against Arsenal. United recovered from two goals behind in the closing minutes at Wembley before Alan Sunderland scored a dramatic late winner for Arsenal.
The 1979/1980 campaign was Grimes’s busiest and most consistent season at Old Trafford. He made 27 competitive appearances and scored three goals as United mounted their strongest championship challenge for several years. His goals that season included a late strike in a 3–0 victory at Aston Villa and the only goal of a league win over Derby County. He also scored the winner against Ipswich Town at Old Trafford in October 1979. United ultimately finished second in the First Division, two points behind champions Liverpool. Grimes began the following season in good scoring form. He found the net on the opening day as United defeated Middlesbrough 3–0 and scored again in a 5–0 victory over Leicester City.
He also made his first appearances in European competition during the 1980/1981 UEFA Cup campaign, playing in both legs against Polish club Widzew Lódz. The tie ended goalless on aggregate after United’s away goal in the first match was cancelled out, sending Widzew through under the competition’s away-goals rule.
After Ron Atkinson replaced Sexton in 1981, Grimes faced increasing competition for a regular place. The arrivals and development of players such as Bryan Robson, Remi Moses and Arnold Mühren reduced his opportunities, although his adaptability ensured that he remained part of the first-team squad.
He returned to the side during the closing weeks of the 1981/1982 season and scored in a 3–3 draw away to Everton. United finished third in the First Division and qualified for European competition.
Grimes made 21 appearances during his final season at Old Trafford. He scored in a 1–1 draw against Luton Town in October 1982 and later converted a penalty in a 2–0 victory over Watford.
United reached the finals of both domestic cup competitions during the 1982/1983 campaign. Grimes appeared in the League Cup run but was not selected for the Wembley final, which Liverpool won 2–1 after extra time. He was more prominently involved in the FA Cup campaign and played in United’s 2–1 semi-final victory over Arsenal at Villa Park. Goals from Bryan Robson and Norman Whiteside secured United’s place in the final against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Grimes was named as United’s substitute for the final on 21 May 1983 but remained unused as the match finished 2–2 after extra time. He was again the unused substitute when United dominated the replay five days later, winning 4–0 through two goals from Robson and further strikes from Whiteside and Mühren. As a member of the matchday squad, Grimes received an FA Cup winner’s medal.
His final United appearance had come shortly before the final, in a 2–0 league defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur on 11 May 1983. In August that year, he joined Coventry City for approximately £200,000. Grimes spent one season at Highfield Road, making 35 appearances in all competitions and scoring twice. He then transferred to Luton Town in 1984, beginning the most substantial period of his career after leaving United. Although injuries restricted him during his first two seasons at Kenilworth Road, he subsequently became a regular member of an accomplished Luton side. He appeared in 114 competitive matches for the club and scored four goals.
The highlight came in the 1988 League Cup final against Arsenal. Grimes entered the match as a substitute with Luton trailing 2–1. After Danny Wilson equalised, Grimes delivered the cross that led to Brian Stein’s winning goal in the closing seconds. Luton’s 3–2 victory secured the first major trophy in the club’s history.
Grimes moved abroad in 1989 and joined Osasuna. He made 15 La Liga appearances during his time in Spain before returning to English football with Stoke City.
He finished his professional playing career at Stoke, where he contributed to the club’s successful 1991/1992 Football League Trophy campaign. Stoke defeated Stockport County at Wembley to lift the trophy, and Grimes retired shortly afterwards.
At international level, Grimes represented the Republic of Ireland’s under-21 team in its first official match in March 1978. He went on to earn six under-21 caps and scored two penalties.
He made his senior international debut against Turkey on 5 April 1978 and ultimately won 18 caps between 1978 and 1988. His only senior international goal was a memorable long-range strike against Spain in a European Championship qualifier at Lansdowne Road in November 1982.
Following his retirement, Grimes moved into coaching. He worked in youth development at Stoke City and later joined Lou Macari’s coaching staff at Celtic. He subsequently worked with Huddersfield Town and became involved with the coaching staff at Colwyn Bay.
Ashley Grimes may not have been an automatic first-choice player throughout his United career, but his versatility, composure and willingness to serve the team made him a valuable squad member. His 107 appearances, 11 goals and involvement in the 1983 FA Cup success earned him a respected place in Manchester United’s history.
